By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“Like me, he was not interested in politics, but he shared the desire to do what he could for his community, whether it was through public service or helping others thrive.” - Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, on Ben Steffen, her pick for lieutenant governor in her campaign for Nebraska governor.
Former State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, the Democratic nominee for Nebraska governor, center, announces her pick of Humboldt farmer Ben Steffen as her choice for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, on a farm north of Elkhorn. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
ELKHORN, Neb. — Former state Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, the 2026 Democratic choice for Nebraska governor, announced a corn and soybean farmer and ex-Republican on Tuesday as her pick for lieutenant governor.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., right, faces nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska’s Senate race this fall. (Candidate photos courtesy of respective campaigns | U.S. Capitol photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
ELECTION 2026
By Juan Salinas II
LINCOLN — Nebraska U.S Sen. Pete Ricketts’ reelection campaign raised $6.3 million from April through June, more than triple the amount raised by his opponent, registered nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn. But, Osborn pointed out during an impromptu press conference earlier this month, the majority of Ricketts’ money came from the candidate himself.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and delegation members meet with U.S. Meat Export Federation representatives in Japan. (Courtesy of Gov. Jim Pillen’s Office)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — Amid a phase of budget tightening across Nebraska’s state agencies, Gov. Jim Pillen said an ongoing Asia trade mission will have minimal impact on the state’s finances.
Nebraska’s Douglas County Health Department on Monday notes a sudden rise in cyclospora infections among county residents. On July 17, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has linked an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in five states to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants. (Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
HEALTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
OMAHA — The number of parasite cyclospora infections among residents in Nebraska’s most populous county continues to climb — rising to 45 confirmed cases this past Saturday. That’s up from 27 confirmations as of just five days earlier.
Eighth-grade students listen to a lecture on internet safety and cyberbullying at a middle school assembly in Connecticut in 2022. Experts studying the rise in pediatric suicide point to many stressors for preteens, including COVID-19 fallout, social media use, lack of sleep, bullying both online and in person, and policies restricting gender-affirming care for trans kids that have created fear for some LGBTQ+ youth. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
EDUCATION
By Nada Hassanein
For months, Marie’s 11-year-old daughter wasn’t acting like herself. The fifth grader was often fatigued, sleeping more. She wasn’t eating enough, and spent more time alone.
“She wasn’t really motivated to do things with her friends,” Marie said.
A mailbox in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jacob Fischler
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the federal government can continue implementing President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting vote-by-mail, reaching the opposite conclusion that another appeals panel decided over the weekend.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Loser of Nebraska Democratic US Senate primary sues party | Juan Salinas II
Grocery in North Omaha food desert progresses | Cindy Gonzalez
COMMENTARY
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Omaha moviemaker says state-funded film venture is paralyzed | Cindy Gonzalez
Nebraska sees sharp drop in participation in public food aid | Cindy Gonzalez
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